Exam Review - Merchant of Venice

Question 1

Who is Antonio?

Answer 1

The main character. Wealthy but sad, older merchant never borrows - willing to lend to friends (especially Bassanio) without interest

Question 2

Who are Salerio and Solanio?

Answer 2

(filler char.) Friends of Ant. and Bas.

Question 3

Who is Bassanio?

Answer 3

Young man, expensive tastes, rich friends, borrows money from Ant. to court Portia

Question 4

Who is Gratiano?

Answer 4

Bassanio’s friend, bawdy and clownish demeanor. Goes with Bas. to Belmont, falls in love with Nerissa

Question 5

Who is Lorenzo?

Answer 5

Bassanio’s friend, falls in love with Jessica

Question 6

Who is Portia?

Answer 6

Widely pursued noblewoman, intelligent as rich and beautiful. Mind allows her to find loopholes in legal matters - rescues Ant. from his bond

Question 7

Who is Nerissa?

Answer 7

Portia’s handmaid, falls in love with Gratiano

Question 8

Who is Shylock?

Answer 8

Jewish merchant of Venice, lends Ant. money on Bas.’s behalf. Clever, quick. Dark humourist, moral absolutist, religious bigot, ogre, sentimentalist. Villain and tragic figure

Question 9

Prince of Morocco

Answer 9

Portia’s suitor, black, Moor: violent and sexual, chose silver

Question 10

Who is Jessica?

Answer 10

Shylock’s daughter, escapes and marries Lorenzo, converts to Christianity

Question 11

Prince of Arragon

Answer 11

Portia’s suitor, greedily chose gold